Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis announces retirement from all forms of cricket

Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis has announced retirement from all forms of cricket. Regarded as one of the game's first players to bring 'mystery spin' to the fore, Mendis debuted for Sri Lanka in 2008 and went on to represent the island nation in 19 Tests, 87 ODIs and 39 T20Is.

While his career in the longest format accounts for 70 wickets, his ODI and T20I wicket-tally stands at 152 and 66 respectively. He also stands as the fastest bowler to scalp 50 wickets in the 50-over format.

Mendis last made an appearance in international cricket when Sri Lanka crossed swords with New Zealand at Hagley Oval in December 2015. Fondly remembered for his antics with the carom ball, Mendis had wreaked havoc in the initial few years of his playing career.

The 34-year-old played a key role in helping Sri Lanka lift the Asia Cup title in 2008, when he had bamboozled the opposition's players with the then-unreadable spin variations. Famously, the right-arm spinner had blown away a strong Indian batting line-up in the final of the tournament In Karachi with figures of 6-13.

However, with the batsmen finding a way through to tackle his bowling, the mystery soon faded away. Injuries too hindered the talented player's career as the selectors' radar drifted away from him.